Firearm Industry Excise Tax Filing and Payment Due Dates Delayed by TTB
90-day delay provides tax relief to some firearm and ammunition manufacturers

Following the direction of the Trump Administration to ease tax burdens on American businesses during the COVID-19 virus pandemic, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) announced it is providing firearm and ammunition manufacturers and importers a 90-day delay period from the required filing and payment dates of Pittman Robertson excise tax payments.
 
In guidance distributed earlier this morning, the TTB states that required excise tax filings and payments from firearm and ammunition businesses with an original filing date falling between March 1, 2020, and July 1, 2020, will be given an extra 90 days to do so without facing interest or penalties.

The directive states:
TTB’s Acting Administrator has determined that (1) any person with a due date for submitting a Federal excise tax payment, return, operational report, or claim on …. firearms, and ammunition to TTB and (2) any person with a due date for submitting export documentation to TTB, in the period March 1, 2020, through July 1, 2020, is affected by COVID-19 for purposes of the relief described in this Industry Circular.

Additionally, the directive states:
The postponement of due dates applies to any tax payment with an original due date falling on or after March 1, 2020, through July 1, 2020. Interest and penalties will not accrue where such payments are made within 90 days of the usual due date. This Industry Circular does not postpone the payment of any other type of Federal tax. 

The National Shooting Sports Foundation^® (NSSF^®), the trade association for the firearm and ammunition industry, strongly recommends our members fully review the TTB guidance linked above to ensure your business remains in good standing and compliant during this critical time. If you have any questions about your business and how the TTB directive may affect you, please contact the National Review Center by phone at 1-877-882-3277, or electronically by using this form.

During this time, the NSSF urges all members to closely follow CDC guidelines, practice social distancing and take precautions to protect the health of their employees and customers. We will continue to monitor the current situation and provide further updates as they become available. NSSF also urges industry members to consider finding a way to give back to their community during this national emergency.